David Ginola's campaign to become the next FIFA president appears to be at an end.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and France winger failed to meet strict FIFA regulations needed by January 29 to run against Sepp Blatter and will refund all donations towards his £2.3million target.

The 47-year-old with no known football administration experience had to prove to FIFA he had played an 'active role' for two of the last five years, and that he had the support of five national associations.

David Ginola confirmed his intention to stand for FIFA presidency at a previous press conference

Ginola's campaign was being backed by bookmaker Paddy Power, known for their PR stunts

Ginola appears to have ended his campaign to become the next FIFA president instead of Sepp Blatter

Former Tottenham winger Ginola had no known football administration experience

The message on www.teamginola.com on January 29 as the deadline passed for him to meet strict rules

PADDY POWER, £250,000 AND MORE

The idea to back a candidate originated from Paddy Power and David Ginola, being paid £250,000 by the bookmakers to run, apparently topped their shortlist.

Paddy Power were inviting people to become members on www.teamginola.com to pledge support and cash. Paid-for memberships range from £5 to £40,000.

Paddy Power were aiming to raise £2.3million by the end of February to fund the campaign.

The message on www.teamginola.com read: 'A huge thank you for supporting Team Ginola. The crowdfunding page is now closed.

'All donations will be returned to those that have pledged.

'The fight is not over. Football still needs to change. I urge you to continue to vocalise your craving for change in football in whatever way you can.

'Let it be known that no matter how small you think your voice may be alone, if we speak together we will be heard. Whilst FIFA may not be an open democracy for the footballing public, our opinions will be heeded, only if we persist.'

Yet Ginola tweeted after the announcement to insist he was not prepared to stop fighting for change in football. 'Not giving up, still in the race to reboot football! Will not give up... final nomination results might not be known before 8th February...' he wrote.

There were doubts about Ginola's running since he announced his intention to challenge Blatter less than two weeks ago on January 16. That press conference was backed by bookmakers Paddy Power - known for their high-profile PR stunts, but not for major sports announcements.

A breakdown of what the £2.3million budget would pay for as Paddy Power appealed for donations

Ginola entered the race to become president of world football's governing body FIFA

Ginola tweeted this after the announcement was posted on the official Team Ginola website

Paddy Power himself admitted it was their idea to back a candidate and that Ginola, being paid £250,000 by the bookmakers to run, topped their shortlist. But he confirmed on Thursday their involvement with Team Ginola had come to an end.

Power said: 'We're really proud to have been involved in giving the Team Ginola bid a good leg up, but the plan was always for us to step away from the action at this point – and we're sticking to that.

'There's been a brilliant response from the fans to the campaign, which is everything we hoped for given David's manifesto is all about giving the game back to them.

'Even though our part in Team Ginola is over, we're all rooting for David in his continuing bid to take on the FIFA giants.'

Blatter will still face competition to win a fifth term, however, after four others declared an interest in running against the 78-year-old - FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, former FIFA official Jerome Champagne, former head of Chilean football, Harold Mayne-Nicholls, and Luis Figo.

Ginola's backing down comes the same day the Football Association formally nominate Prince Ali of Jordan for the FIFA presidency.

DAVID GINOLA FACT FILE

BORN: Jan. 25, 1967 in Gassin, France

EARLY CAREER

Began his career at Toulon as an 18-year-old in 1985 before moving to RC Paris in 1988, Brest in 1990 and Paris St Germain in 1992.

His flamboyant style caught the eye in a successful three-year spell at PSG where he won the Ligue 1 title in 1994, two French Cups (93, 95) and one League Cup (1995).

ENGLAND

Ginola was touted for a move to Spain but chose to join Newcastle United under Kevin Keegan in 1995 for a fee of 2.5 million pounds ($3.80 million) at a time when the north east club were fighting for the Premier League title.

His time at Newcastle was ultimately unsuccessful, however, as they finished runners-up to Manchester United twice.

He joined Tottenham Hotspur in 1997 and won both the player's association and Football Writers' Footballer of the Year awards in 1999.

That year he scored a dazzling individual goal for Tottenham against Barnsley in the FA Cup and won the League Cup, his only trophy in England.

He finished his career in England with spells at Aston Villa and Everton and retired in 2002.

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Ginola made 17 France appearances between 1990 and 1995, but his international career was largely disappointing.

A low point came in 1993 when he was blamed by then France coach Gerard Houllier for a World Cup qualifying defeat to Bulgaria that eliminated them from the 1994 tournament.